As a lover of color in my own painting practice this book's real strength are the 32 plates of full color paintings done by the following artists: Käthe Kollwitz Paula Modersohn-Becker Marianne Werefkin (whose self-portrait graces the cover) Gabriele Münter (whose 1909 Portrait of Marianne Werefkin was my favorite of all the collection) Erma Bossi Vera Nilsson Sigrid Hjertén (whose 1916 painting "The Red Blind" is a close second favorite of mine) Jacoba Van Heemskerck Clara Anna-Marie Nauen The paintings are each accompanied by a brief description of the artist training and whereabouts with commentary on where the painting exhibited and in what art school lineage it belongs. Connecting these artists to Matisse, and Kandinsky or Van Gogh situates their work, though I would argue their work is just as valid to explore the ways expressionism took off at the turn of the 20th century as these other, more well-known "master" examples oft discussed in art history.
The writing was somewhat uninspired. Social sets and who particular artists knew eclipsed any thoughts or expounding on the beauty or vision of the artists. The real value of the 80 page book, however, is with the numerous, full-page, color paintings that introduced me to several talented artists, among which, Marianne Werefkin was my favorite (see profile pictures).